Annelie and Jake’s love story began in London, where the two met through AFL while living far from home and dreaming of seeing more of the world. Their connection quickly grew, and before long Jake took a leap of faith, following Annelie to New York City and beginning an adventure that would shape the rest of their lives. Their greatest adventure arrived with the birth of their beautiful son, who has brought even more joy to their journey.
In November 2024, Jake chose a truly memorable setting to propose. As the sun rose over the waterfront and the iconic New York City skyline came to life, he asked Annelie to marry him, marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter together.
We catch up with Bride Annelie on planning their wedding in Fiji:
The Planning
Choosing Fiji for our wedding was an easy decision. Fiji represents so many of the things we love most—travel, adventure, and being by the ocean. I grew up visiting Fiji every year as a child, and getting married there had been a lifelong dream.
When it came to choosing a venue, the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa was the clear choice. We were drawn to its beautiful beachfront location, crystal-clear waters, and the ease it offered for our guests travelling from around the world.
We were inspired by the natural beauty of Fiji and chose a soft, romantic colour palette, natural textures, and understated details that felt elegant yet effortless.
Planning a destination wedding from New York certainly came with its challenges. Having the support of our wedding planner Ponistudio was invaluable. She helped guide us through the process, coordinate with local suppliers, and bring our vision to life.
Getting Ready
I spent hours scrolling through portfolios and researching hair and makeup artists before choosing Lodoviko for hair and make up. His style resonated with me.
My dress was by Nadia Manjarrez Bridal. It was important to me that my gown reflected the natural, flowing feel of the island and suited the relaxed atmosphere of our Fiji wedding.
For my bridesmaids, I chose dresses from Shona Joy because I wanted something simple, elegant, and timeless.
Jake wore a suit from Suit Supply, while the groomsmen wore Peter Jackson. We wanted a subtle mismatch between the groom and groomsmen so Jake would stand out while still keeping the overall look cohesive.
The Ceremony
We chose the beachfront chapel at the InterContinental Fiji Golf Resort & Spa because we loved the idea of being surrounded by palm trees and ocean views, while creating the feeling of moving to a completely different location for the reception.
We brought many of our décor items from Australia, while Fiji Weddings provided the florals as part of our wedding package. We were specific about having lilies lining the aisle and personalised shells with our guests’ names on them as place cards.
We also incorporated Fijian culture, welcoming guests with traditional serenaders and Fijian warrior escorts which made it meaningful for us and our guests.
We wrote our own vows, each including favourite quotes and what we love most about one another. Although we didn’t share them beforehand, they aligned perfectly. The ceremony was short and sweet, made even more special by our 10-month-old son, who was our ring bearer.
The Photography
We chose Nadi Bay Photography for both our photography and videography because their style felt the most like us. Their work was relaxed and intimate without being too posed, with a great balance of candid and emotional moments. They knew the resort like the back of their hand and knew what would and wouldn’t work.
For our video, we wanted a mix of behind-the-scenes footage and coverage throughout the day. It was important to capture both the fun of the after-party and the emotion of the ceremony.
I especially love the beach photos, particularly the image of Jake spinning me around during our first dance on the beach. I also absolutely love our wedding video and still cry every time I watch it.
The Reception
We chose Navo at InterContinental Fiji for our reception because it perfectly captured the atmosphere we wanted for our celebration. The private beachfront setting, stunning ocean views, and relaxed yet elegant feel made it the ideal place to celebrate with our family and friends.
Our décor combined personal touches we brought from home with the styling expertise of Fiji Weddings. We included details such as personalised luggage tags, shell place cards, and custom menus, while Fiji Weddings brought everything together with beautiful floral arrangements.
We continued the soft, natural colour palette from the ceremony, using whites, creams, tropical greenery, and florals that complemented the beauty of Fiji. Rather than a specific theme, we focused on creating a celebration that reflected our love of travel, the ocean, and spending time with the people closest to us.
For dinner, we chose a family-style Fijian banquet, which suited our love of sharing meals together. Our three-tier wedding cake, made by the InterContinental, featured coconut gluten-free, mud chocolate, and vanilla sponge layers.
DJ Works kept the dance floor going all night and perfectly captured the vibe we were hoping for. After the reception, we continued the celebrations with an after-party at Kama Lounge, enjoying more drinks, dancing, and time with family and friends.
Our Favourite Moments
There were so many special moments throughout our Fiji wedding, but seeing each other for the first time at the ceremony was undoubtedly one of the highlights. Surrounded by our family and friends in such a beautiful setting, it was a moment we’ll never forget. We also loved incorporating Fijian culture into the day, with traditional serenaders welcoming our guests and Fijian warrior escorts adding a unique and memorable touch.
Having all of our favourite people together in one place was incredibly meaningful. Many of our guests travelled a long way to celebrate with us, and being able to share not just our wedding day, but a Fiji holiday experience, made it even more special.
The reception was another standout, from the stunning beachfront setting and personal touches to the speeches, dancing, and celebrating under the stars. Finishing the night with an after-party at Kama Lounge alongside family and friends was the perfect ending to an unforgettable day.
